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Ready to Work is the Bridge to Belief:
- Belief in every person’s ability to contribute;
- Belief in every person’s right to pursue happiness;
- Belief in the value of traditional and non-traditional education; and
- Belief that we all have the power to change the future when we work together.
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From the desk of Mike Ramsey, Executive Director of the City of San Antonio's Workforce Development Office
Hello Everyone,
Wow, can you believe it’s already June? Before we dive deeper into upcoming plans and developments, I want to thank everyone for your continued support, dedication, and collaboration. Ready to Work would not be possible without you.
Recently, we co-hosted JobFest 2023, and it was a huge success. Thank you to Representative Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg, District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez, City of San Antonio’s Ready to Work Team, Bexar County, Spurs Sports & Entertainment (and the Spurs Coyote!), Workforce Solutions Alamo, Goodwill, and 130 of San Antonio’s top employers and community-based organizations. Together, we hosted over 700 job seekers.
Additionally, recently, we surpassed 100 employers that have hired Ready to Work graduates! See what can happen when we continue to invest in our community’s development? Who knows what we can achieve next?
We also want to share the great news that the National League of Cities selected San Antonio as one of 15 cities to participate in the Good Jobs, Great Cities Academy. The Academy will help San Antonio develop innovative and scalable solutions that train workers to obtain quality, high-demand jobs in infrastructure, clean energy and advanced manufacturing. This national program recognized the importance of San Antonio initiatives like Ready to Work as a model for other cities to follow.
We’re excited to expand on these and more upcoming developments. Let’s continue to put forward our trust, support, and energy into this program.
With sincere gratitude,
Mike Ramsey
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Partner Highlight - Gabriela Ibarra Noriega, AVANCE San Antonio
AVANCE staff members and Ready to Work partners. Gabriela is at far right.
As a trusted and reliable partner, AVANCE San Antonio engages in the Caminos al Futuro program to assist parents by providing them with opportunities to enhance their current career or to begin a new one. AVANCE works closely with the Early Head Start, Head Start, PCEP and Home Base Programs to train and connect residents with high-demand careers.
Caminos al Futuro has always strived to put the success of its participants first and aims to hire case managers with those same values. AVANCE wants passionate case managers who want to provide a welcoming service to their participants.
"Our case managers are empathetic, patient, and caring," says AVANCE Workforce Development Manager Gabriela Ibarra Noriega. "Case managers should be willing to offer support and guidance in breaking barriers the participant faces. Those who thrive at AVANCE are willing to understand that we treat each participant with respect and integrity. For Ready to Work participants, think about the outcome they want in mind. Consider where you want to be in the next six to twelve months. Ready to Work starts with a career assessment to determine your interests. Trained case managers will GUIDE you from the beginning to the end of the process. The program provides opportunities for engagement with pledge employers ready to hire you once training is complete. Ready to Work wants you to be successful so our City can continue growing with residents who are educated and prepared for the demands of our City's workforce."
As a San Antonio-based organization, AVANCE knows the potential of the San Antonio community. We all do. That’s why Ready to Work is so important.
"Growing up on the west side of San Antonio, education opportunities were scarce. As AVANCE’s Workforce Development Manager, I am very proud to be able to provide this opportunity to my community," says Gabriela. "At AVANCE San Antonio, we believe that the investment in your education and personal growth is the most important. It will require commitment, hard work, and some challenges, but remember that a whole team is rooting for you along the way. It all begins with believing in yourself and taking that first step into an educational pathway of your interest. This is the chance that Ready to Work offers you!"
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Participant Highlight - Monica Vasquez
In 2016 Monica Vasquez became a first-time mom while trying to finish school. Monica soon joined AVANCE Early Head Start at Mirasol, a family support service, so that she could go to school. In 2017, Monica received her Associate’s Degree in Kinesiology from San Antonio College. However, she was having trouble getting a job in the medical field because she didn’t have any experience. As eight years passed, Monica pushed her own career aspirations to the side while she helped her family’s restaurant. Over time, Monica realized something was missing -- she had neglected herself. She called AVANCE and spoke with Gabriela Ibarra Noriega, who told her about Ready to Work, and quickly became interested, knowing it was exactly what she needed.
“Since the beginning the process, I knew I was in great hands. AVANCE was very helpful,” says Monica. “It was an easy and fast process. When they showed me the career catalog, I was shocked by the many available careers. I also liked how they provided you with a career coach. Gabriela supported me by providing a laptop, books, supplies, and amazing guidance.”
Monica chose to become certified as a physical training aide and now she can stay focused on finishing school at her own pace while being a dedicated mother and wife.
“Ready to Work is an excellent second chance for success. It’s never too late to think about yourself. There are many careers that Ready to Work has to offer. They will guide you until you finish school and they will be there until you secure a quality job.”
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Ready to Change Lives
Thank you to the 321 local employers that have pledged support for Ready to Work. Employers will help guide the desired training and education of participants to help improve our local economy and to ensure the ultimate success of the program. Being an active and engaged business leader brings benefits to local businesses in the short and long term. These benefits include but are not limited to:
- Access to an expanding talent pipeline
- City-funded training and educational benefits for eligible employees
- Input on approved training catalog
- Enhanced network of workforce agencies, community resources and local training providers
- Increased contracting and subcontracting opportunities
- Workplace diversity
- Economic development for San Antonio
Take the employer pledge here.
Employer Highlight - WellMed Medical Management
This month, we are shining the spotlight on WellMed Medical Management, a valued Ready to Work pledged employer. WellMed and its medical professionals aim to deliver proactive, preventative care, while building solid relationships with their senior patients.
WellMed has consistently supported Ready to Work, with VP of Operations Sonia Garza serving on the Advisory Board and with VP of Clinic Operations David Parker participating in job fairs, community outreach, and employer outreach events. Additionally, WellMed has signed the Ready to Work Employer Pledge and encourages other companies to do so.
Dr. George M. Rapier III founded WellMed over 30 years ago. He believed that by keeping patients healthy, instead of responding to symptoms, he could positively affect their quality of life. WellMed has maintained an unwavering commitment to the city and to the community that trusts them with their healthcare. Today, WellMed’s network of doctors, specialists, and other medical professionals provide care for more than 1 million older adults with over 16,000 doctors’ offices in Texas and in Florida. WellMed is constantly looking for skilled, resilient, innovative, and compassionate people ready to deliver healthcare to the nation. WellMed is hiring medical assistants, LVNs, RNs, billing and coding professionals, medical office specialists, and soon radiology technicians!
“Now more than ever, businesses need to define and reestablish their purpose and mission,” says Sonia Garza. “What more noble way than to participate in a program rooted in improving lives, communities and business?”
“I am from here – born and raised. I signed up to volunteer on the Advisory Board as a citizen, not as an employer,” says Garza. “It is both a privilege and an honor to serve an organization that cares for the community, patients, and teammates. The innovation and spirit behind Ready to Work strengthens our commitment, faith, and loyalty to this great city.”
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Ready to Engage
Upcoming Events
Ready to Work is reaching into the community throughout San Antonio to ensure the program is a success. Whether you are a community-based organization who wants to leverage Ready to Work to assist your client, or a business owner interested in taking the Employer Pledge, there is a place for you at the table. Below is a partial list of upcoming events. If you are interested in having Ready to Work be a part of one of your events, please contact rtw.help@sanantonio.gov.
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DATE
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EVENT
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| June 10 |
RTW @ D5 Macedonia Baptist Church, Domestic Violence and Gun Violence Forum |
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June 13
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Community Champion Collaborative – Mental Health |
| June 13 |
RTW @ Small Business Advisory Committee |
| June 15 |
Alamo Area Community Network at City Council A Session |
| June 15 |
Good Jobs Great Cities Academy Orientation |
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June 20
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RTW Advisory Board |
| July 10 - 12 |
Good Jobs Great Cities Academy in DC |
| July 10 |
RTW Employer Engagement Subcommittee |
| July 11 |
RTW Community Outreach Subcommittee |
| July 11 |
NAMI GSA General Meeting |
| July 26 |
JFF Community of Practice (Theory of Change) |
| July 29 |
Restore Education Graduation |
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